If you’re a beginner skier or just could never grasp how to glide through the slopes, there’s still hope. You can catch on fast – soon, people even may think you’re a pro if you practice the following tips:

 

First, Relax

You have to relax your toes. Clenching your toes while you’re nervous is an involuntary act. However, before you start, make sure your toes are relaxed and just focus on your breathing. By relaxing the joints in your toes, your joints throughout your whole body will stay loose and you will have a better chance at conquering the moves.

 

Flex Your Ankles

When you are getting ready to hit the slopes, focus on where you are bending forward. Is it more at your ankles or your knees? Make sure you always bend forward at your ankles, and never your knees. Your knees will automatically bend while you’re flexing your ankles forward – so don’t worry too much – it will happen naturally and maintain a balanced, upright body position.

 

Your Shins Should be Against the Tongues of Your Boots

Some people often lean back on their skis but this makes it difficult when approaching turns. By keeping your shins against your boot tongues, it allows you to keep your weight centered, providing better overall control.

 

Add Pressure to the Ski Tips When Approaching a Turn

Avoid pushing your entire weight into the middle of your skis while you approach a turn. Skis work best when you steer your ski tips into the turn first – your feet will then follow.

 

Keep Your Skis Parallel

If you make this mistake, you’re not alone, but it’s best to kick this habit now – Going around a turn and holding the downhill ski on edge and letting the uphill ski go flat – Both of your skis need to enter each turn, while they roll on edge simultaneously.

 

Your Hands Should Remain Forward

When you are skiing, do your hands drop by your sides or do you let a hand cross over your skis? If so, your skis will end up skidding, rather than carve. So, what should you do then? Your hands should, instead, be comfortable forward – Think of holding a tray out in front of you.

 

Plant Your Pole Down The Hill

Once you complete each turn, plant your pole with your downhill hand. You will want to touch your pole tip to the side of your ski instead of forward. This will allow you to have more confident and rhythm.

 

Always Look Ahead

Make sure your path is always panned so you can avoid any surprises. Always look in front of you, never look at the ground. By doing this, you will have a bit more time to respond to the terrain and any obstacles that may occur. Keeping your head up will allow your torso to be positioned correctly while going downhill.

Have you been making any of these mistakes? If so, don’t feel alone. They are common mistakes and easy to fix. Practicing the right body and ski positions while on your skis will set you up for success. During your next vacation, you may even start looking like a pro. Practice these tips and start showing them off this winter.